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- calendar_today October 25, 2026
UAB Hospital CEO Brenda Carlisle to Retire at Year's End
Brenda Carlisle, the CEO of UAB Hospital, will retire at the end of 2026, concluding a distinguished career in health care leadership. UAB Medicine announced the transition on October 23, 2026, stating that Michelle Fortune, executive vice president of hospital operations, will assume the role of interim CEO effective November 1.
Supporting a Seamless Leadership Transition
Carlisle will remain with UAB Medicine through the end of the year to support Fortune during the leadership transition. She will also collaborate closely with the CEOs of UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham, UAB St. Vincent’s East, and UAB Medical West as UAB Medicine prepares to create a new market president position. Recruitment for this role is underway to enhance executive support, coordination, and strategic alignment among community hospitals in the Birmingham metropolitan area.
Brenda Carlisle's Career and Contributions
With over 30 years of leadership experience across academic medical centers, tertiary care hospitals, and community hospital settings, Brenda Carlisle has provided essential guidance and continuity for UAB Hospital. UAB Hospital, the fifth-largest hospital in the United States and situated on the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus, has grown significantly under her leadership. Carlisle's tenure emphasized advancing patient safety, strengthening financial performance, launching strategic initiatives, and promoting a workplace culture valuing exceptional patient care.
Reflecting on her tenure, Carlisle stated, "Serving as CEO of UAB Hospital has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. I have had the opportunity to work alongside extraordinary physicians, nurses, and employees who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to our patients and to one another. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful for the relationships and experiences that have made my time here so meaningful. I have great confidence in Michelle and her ability to lead UAB Hospital forward. Her experience, vision, and commitment to our mission will serve the organization well, and I look forward to supporting her and our community hospital leaders during the months ahead."
Michelle Fortune to Lead as Interim CEO
Michelle Fortune brings more than 25 years of healthcare executive experience to the interim CEO position, including leadership roles in nationally recognized multistate health systems. Since joining UAB Medicine in 2025 as executive vice president of hospital operations, Fortune has worked closely with physician, nursing, and administrative teams to improve patient access, operational performance, and strategic priorities.
Prior to UAB Medicine, Fortune held positions with Mercy, a 53-hospital system spanning four states, as ministry president of surgery and gastroenterology. She also served in executive leadership roles at Atrium Health, including hospital CEO and systemwide service line leadership. Fortune holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in business administration and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
"I am honored and excited to take on this new responsibility and to continue working alongside the exceptional teams at UAB Hospital," said Fortune. "Brenda has provided remarkable leadership to this organization, and I am grateful for the foundation she has established and the opportunity to work closely with her during this transition. UAB Hospital has an extraordinary mission and a talented, dedicated team. I look forward to building on our accomplishments and the excellent care our patients and communities depend on."
UAB Medicine Leadership and Strategic Direction
Janet Hadar, chief operating officer of UAB Health System, emphasized the value of Carlisle's continued involvement. "Brenda’s continued involvement during this transition is extremely valuable to our organization. Her institutional knowledge will provide important continuity as Michelle assumes responsibility for UAB Hospital. At the same time, her experience across academic and community hospital settings will be an important resource to our community hospital CEOs as we prepare to welcome a new market president. Her expertise during both transitions will help position our hospitals and their leadership teams for continued success."
According to UAB Hospital, Fortune's interim appointment and Carlisle's ongoing support highlight the organization's dedication to strong leadership and collaboration across its hospitals while continuing to provide life-changing care.
Looking Ahead for UAB Hospital
As UAB Medicine undergoes this transition in hospital leadership, both Carlisle and Fortune will play significant roles in shaping the future of the institution and its network of community hospitals. The ongoing recruitment for a market president and Fortune’s interim leadership are intended to support coordinated growth, patient care excellence, and strategic alignment throughout the Birmingham area and beyond.
Source: alreporter.com.
